The Possession of Paavo Deshin: A Retrieval Artist Short Novel (Retrieval Artist series)

All of his short life, Paavo Deshin has seen ghosts. The same two ghosts who have now approached him on the school playground, ghosts who look older and actually smell bad. Paavo’s cry for help brings the authorities, a few lawyers, and Retrieval Artist Miles Flint, who learns some secrets about the ghosts—and about Paavo’s parents. This short stand-alone science fiction novel in the Retrieval Artist series received a Special Mention from the prestigious international UPC contest.

It fits right after the full novel Duplicate Effort in the timeline, but stands alone.


“The Possession of Paavo Deshin” is a masterfully crafted story. Definitely don't miss this one.
—Tangent Online

A custody battle like no other, where every side has its own agenda. An engaging story, a title very apt.
—Internet Review of Science Fiction

Rusch mounts hard-boiled noir on an expansive sf background with great panache.
—Booklist